FCA US and Ford Motor Co. both posted double-digit sales increases in February when compared to the same month last year, while General Motors Co. saw a 1.5 percent decrease in sales last month when compared year over year.
FCA US today reported a 12 percent increase in U.S. sales in February (182,879 units) when compared year over year, marking the group’s best February sales in 10 years.
“Continued strong consumer demand for our Jeep vehicles drove the Jeep brand to its best February sales ever, while our Ram pickup truck and Ram vans recorded their best February sales ever,” says Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales for FCA US.
Bigland says the Ram Truck brand’s 27 percent sales increase in February was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand in the month. Nine FCA US vehicles set records in the month of February, including Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Compass. The Ram pickup truck, Ram ProMaster, and Ram ProMaster City vans, along with the Dodge Journey crossover and Dodge Challenger each posted their best February sales ever.
Fiat brand sales were down 9 percent in February when compared to the same month a year ago, and Chrysler brand sales were down 26 percent in February when compared year over year.
Ford posted a 20 percent increase in sales in February (217,192 units) when compared year over year.
“We saw a solid industry last month and a strong month for Ford, as customer demand for our newest vehicles — including new high-end series on Explorer and Edge — helped Ford increase its average transaction prices at almost double the industry average,” says Mark LaNeve, vice president of U.S. marketing, sales, and service at Ford.
LaNeve says SUV sales increased by nearly 30 percent when compared to February 2015, the best February SUV sales in the company’s history. Edge sales jumped more than 90 percent, while Explorer sales were up 18 percent and Escape sales increased 14 percent when compared year over year.
LaNeve says Lincoln sales increased by 30 percent in February when compared year over year.
GM reported a 1.5 percent decrease in U.S. sales in February (227,825 units) compared year over year, due to a planned reduction in rental deliveries.
“Our strategy is simple: grow profitable retail share while maintaining discipline with inventory levels and incentive spending, while reducing rental deliveries,” says Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of sales operations for GM.
Buick sales increased by more than 2 percent in February when compared year over year, while Cadillac sales remained relatively flat and Chevy sales decreased by nearly 1 percent and GMC sales decreased by nearly 7 percent.
McNeil says the Chevy Suburban and Tahoe had their best February since 2008, while Buick Encore sales were up more than 25 percent and Cadillac Escalade sales were up 22 percent.
